Just for the record: Military Campgrounds are funded by the soldiers who utilize them. AAFES, or the (Army Air Force Exchange Service), is how military personal get what they need, when they need it. AAFES provides: grocery, department, and convenience stores on bases, and also help provide soldiers in forward zones with supplies. 67% of the revenues from these stores on military facilities are paid to MWR (Moral Welfare and Recreational) programs. This is how Military Camp Grounds are funded as well as the charges paid by the soldiers who use them.The only congressionally appropriated money spent in AAFES comes in the form of utilities and transportation of merchandise to overseas exchanges and for salaries of U.S. military personnel assigned to AAFES. A non-appropriated fund instrumentality (NAFI) of the Department of Defense, AAFES funds 98% of its operating budget, including civilian employee salaries, inventory investments, utilities and capital investments for equipment, vehicles and facilities, from the sale of merchandise, food and services to customers.As of 2006, more than $2.24 billion has been contributed by AAFES over a 10-year period to the Army and Air Force to spend on quality of life improvements for Soldiers, Airmen and their families--Youth Services, Armed Forces Recreation Centers, arts and crafts, aquatic centers, post functions and golf courses.In Fiscal Year 2006, AAFES earned $427 million from direct sales (retail, food, and vending/services), finance revenue, and concessions on revenues of $8.9 billion. MWR and services programs received $228 million, which was distributed as follows:•U.S. Army, $138 million•U.S. Air Force, $76.5 million•U.S. Marine Corps, $13.3 million•U.S. Navy, $.5 millionThe per capita dividend in 2006 was $229 for every Soldier and Airman.In addition to funding MWR programs, AAFES earnings are used to build new stores or renovate existing facilities without expense to the federal government. Funds to construct these new or replacement facilities come entirely from sales of merchandise and services.AAFES is also a major source of employment for members of the U.S. Army and Air Force family. Approximately 31% of the 47,323 AAFES associates are military family members. Many associates have worked for years with AAFES as they moved from one installation to another with their military sponsors. Another 1.9% of associates are military members who work part time in exchanges during their off duty hours.

Fort Jackson, SC has just built 15 new sites at their Weston Lake rescreation area. As of Friday when I left there, they were planting grass around the new sites. All are level concrete pads with a large patio that includes a charcoal park style grill and fire pit with a grill. According to one of the MWR folks, cable TV and wi-fi are coming soon. I believe all have 50 amp hookups as well. Unfortunately, a rate hike is coming over the current $11 a night rate for full hookups, but well worth it considering the increase in quality of the park. Reconstruction of the original dozen or so sites will begin once the new sites open up to bring them to the standard of the new section.